THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT IS TO BE USED AS A GUIDE ONLY The AMA – advocating, protecting, producing results? April 2013 AMA (WA) CV Writing & Selection Criteria for Intern Applications
THE INFORMATION CONTAINED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT IS TO BE USED AS A GUIDE ONLY The AMA – advocating, protecting, producing results?
April 2013
AMA (WA) CV Writing
& Selection Criteria for Intern
Applications
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The AMA – advocating, protecting, producing results? April 2013
OUTCOMES
To be able to plan and write a correctly structured application that will improve your chances of gaining an internship at your nominated primary
employing health service.
To be able to prepare for and draft an application addressing the relevant selection criteria and drafting a CV for the Intern Application Process.
APPLICATION ADVICE
Network
There is no substitute for speaking to consultants/doctors in training/current interns who have gone through the selection process
for an Internship particularly identifying what each Health Service has to offer and how your particular set of skills, knowledge and experience
would be beneficial for that particular Health Service.
Follow the instructions
The application process for an Internship is clearly detailed within the relevant documentation. It is essentially that you can demonstrate
that you are able to following instructions to ensure that you set a good example
Get it in on time!
The deadline for application is 5.00pm Friday 7th June 2013.
Late applications will not be considered – this has been clearly stated in the Intern Application Process
INTERN APPLICATION PROCESS
Section One – Personal Questions. You will be asked for a list of personal details which you must provide
answers to. These will include: name; postal address; education; other relevant qualifications; referees; employment details and university
students number, nationality and WA public sector employment history.
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Section Two – Selection Criteria. Selection criteria are the skills, qualifications and experience considered necessary to successfully perform the duties of an intern.
The 2014 intern application process will consist of four criteria, each
criterion to be a maximum of 500 words (except criteria one). o Primary medical degree registrable with the Medical Board of
Australia.
o Ability to work effectively in a healthcare environment. In your answer, provide examples of good interpersonal skill, an ability
to work in a multidisciplinary environment, and good organisation and time management skills.
o Commitment to working in WA to promote, protect, maintain, and restore the health of the people of WA. Indicate how these
commitments have influenced your decision to choose your hospital of first preference.
o Commitment to continued learning and academic excellence.
Section Three – Medical Degree Questions. Questions related to the name of the University where the applicant’s medical degree was completed and the year in which the medical
degree will or was completed. o What is the name of the University where your medical degree
was completed? o In which year did you/will you complete your medical degree?
Section Four – Employing Health Service Questions There are three Primary Employing Health Service (PEHS) offering
internships in WA. You will be asked to indicate which PEHS is your preferred employer by numbering the hospitals from 1 to 3 (with one
being the most preferred and three is the least preferred option). o ( ) Royal Perth Hospital
o ( ) Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital o ( ) Fremantle Hospital
Section Five – Rural Intern Rotations: Expressions of Interest. You will be asked whether you are interested in doing one or more
rural hospital rotations during your internship. Please tick the response that applies.
o Are you interested in doing one or more rural hospital rotations during your internship?
( ) Yes (continue to Question 2)
( ) No (go to Section 6)
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o If Yes, how many weeks would you like to spend doing rural
hospital rotations during your internship?
( ) 10 weeks (1 rotation) ( ) 20 weeks (2 rotations)
( ) 30 weeks (3 rotations)
o Please provide a brief statement indication why you would be
interested in doing one or more rural rotations (maximum of 350 words).
o The Rural Training Collaborative (RTC) offers support for doctors
undertaking rural postgraduate training. Do you give permission to be contacted by the RTC? This is independent of the selection
process.
( ) Yes ( ) No
Rural Practice Pathway Intern Ranking Criteria 2014
Marking Key
1. Application out of 20 2. CV out of 10 Total score out of 30
Academic record should only be taken into consideration if it shows
evidence of failing units, repeat supplementary exams, etc. If they pass, the actual marks shouldn’t affect their ranking.
Criteria
When ranking the application/CV, evidence of the following should attract a high rank:
o participation in rural health clubs during medical school o attainment of rural health scholarships, inc RAMS, John Flynn
Scholarship, etc o participation in Rural Clinical School and other rural placements
during university training o awareness and interest in Aboriginal health o previously lived in a rural area o attendance at rural health conferences o involvement in rural health research o rural doctor mentors o clearly defined rural training goals i.e. wants to be a procedural
GP in a rural area and has mapped out training pathway
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o awareness of the benefits of rural prevocational training to
their medical career o awareness of the non-career benefits of rural training i.e.
involvement with rural communities, building long lasting friendships, country lifestyle
o awareness of the need for more rural generalists o articulates what they can contribute to the rural community and
acknowledges the responsibilities and expectations that rural communities have of doctors serving them
http://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/index.php?id=rpp
Section Six – Additional Information. You must submit the following as attachments via your online
application: o Curriculum Vitae/Resume (maximum two pages). Please ensure
you include the following information: Educational background (including years of education)
Activities/interests
Name and contact details of 2 referees o Academic Record of your medical degree up until the date of
application (can be purchased from the Student Admission Officer).
PRIMARY EMPLOYING HEALTH SERVICES -
WHAT ARE THEY LOOKING FOR?
Fremantle Hospital
Will be based on the information they provide in their CV and selection
criteria statement Within Section Two, Criterion 4 is where academic record will be factored
in, but this will not be the only information used to make our selection Lloyd White “Writing a Winning Job Application” Book is useful e.g.
http://www.lloydwhite.iinet.net.au// (online version $19)
SCGH
Will rank order the applicants:
Based on their online application Score all selection criteria
Focus on their commitment to health in WA and continued learning Why they want to come to SCGH in particular (this could include personal
reasons and/or we offer a greater choice of specialty terms etc)
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RPH
Academically- the assessment of grades are an essential factor in the selection of interns at RPH;
Practical- It is important that they have demonstrated sound practical knowledge whilst being a student on the wards-regardless of metro or
regional sites; What have they done apart from what is required of them as a Medical
Student i.e. volunteer work, projects; and The quality of their application. I would encourage that the medical
students try and keep their application clear and concise, a longer CV and SC doesn’t necessarily mean that it is better. If either are quite content
dense, the selection panel may miss some of the key points the applicant is trying to highlight. There are some good sites on the internet that they
can access which aid in writing CVs and SC.
SECTION TWO
ADDRESSING THE SELECTION CRITERIA
You are required to provide a separate statement addressing the work related criteria (selection criteria). Your statement should demonstrate
(preferably with examples), your competitive ability to meet the work related requirements.
Essentially there are three criteria that require your attention apart from the
1st one which requires evidence of your Primary Medical Degree. These have been detailed on page 2 and will be discussed further on page 8.
Hints and Tips
Do not present a rambling application as the importance of your arguments maybe lost, however do not undersell yourself. The online
application process has clearly flagged that your response to each criterion should be a maximum of 500 words.
Before adding any special attachments consider carefully if they really add value in terms of demonstrating your ability to meet the criteria.
[Intern Application Process flags the CV and Academic Record as the only relevant attachments].
Have an independent person critically examine your application before submission. It is easy to take your own experience for granted.
Keep a copy of your application.
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Keep your answers focused and clearly written
Your aim should be to show how, through your workplace skills and experiences, you have been able to successfully handle key situations similar to those which you will be likely to face in your job. Using specific examples
is a good idea.
Remember that you are highlighting your qualities by relating a purpose-
driven story. You need to supply enough detail to be clear, but it is essential that you keep focused on answering the specific requests of each criterion.
Addressing selection criteria
The most important aspect of addressing selection criteria is to provide evidence through relevant examples. Support your claims with actual,
specific examples of what you have done and how well you did it. One way to do this is to use the STAR model:
1. Situation—Outline a specific circumstance where you developed
the particular experience or used the required skills or qualities. Set the context of the situation.
2. Task—What was your role? What did you have to do? 3. Actions—What did you do and how did you do it?
4. Results—What did you achieve? What were the results of what you did?
Pay particular attention to correct use of grammar, spelling, punctuation and language:
use plain English and short to medium-length sentences avoid using jargon, abbreviations or acronyms (e.g. HRS), which may
be unclear to some or all members of the panel.
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Be brief but precise.
Be positive:
focus on what you can do rather than what you can't do
use positive language don't use qualifying statements, e.g. 'Although I don't have', or
'My experience in .... is limited'.
Use active rather than passive phrases, e.g. 'I organised a conference'
rather than 'A conference was organised'.
Let the panel know what your role was. Talk about what you've done and use 'I' statements rather than 'We'.
Make sure that what you write down is a positive and complete picture of you.
Proof-read it thoroughly and make any necessary corrections or
adjustments.
Try to look at your application from the reader's point of view and ask
yourself whether it:
creates a good impression presents all the relevant information about you
Example of addressing selection criteria
Here is an example of using the STAR approach to address selection criteria.
Demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively
‘My ability to communicate effectively with a range of people was
demonstrated in my position as receptionist with the XYZ community organization. I dealt with members of the general public, officers from the
local council and government departments, and representatives from private businesses on a daily basis.
I communicated with these people face to face, over the phone and through use of email. As I was the first point of contact for the organization it was
very important that I was professional, courteous and helpful in my interactions. In recognition of my positive interpersonal skills my temporary
position was extended for nine months beyond my initial contract.’
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EXAMINATION OF SPECIFIC CRITERIA
Reference to the internet may assist you in considering the specifics of the criteria listed e.g. you may look at searching for “good interpersonal skills”
in google to gain a better understanding of each facet of the criteria.
Ability to work effectively in a healthcare environment. In your answer, provide examples of good interpersonal skill, an ability to work in a
multidisciplinary environment, and good organisation and time management
skills
In your statement you could consider whether you have been part of any Committees, held any representative roles in organisations like WAMSS,
MSAND, AMSA, Dr Yes, Sporting Associations as it is likely that you have needed to organise events, meetings etc. Consider your past employment
history whether it required you to work as part of a team. If you have had
specific health experience previously this is likely to be extremely relevant.
Commitment to working in WA to promote, protect, maintain, and restore the health of the people of WA. Indicate how these commitments have
influenced your decision to choose your hospital of first preference
If you have had previous work experience in a health or hospital setting this
would be good evidence of a commitment to the health industry. You need to consider what is it that your particular preference can offer e.g. if you are
looking to work in trauma then you are likely to consider RPH as a potential first preference, if you want specific rural experience you might seek
Fremantle particularly if you have been part of the rural clinical school. If you want experience in a broad range of specialties you might seek SCGH.
Commitment to continued learning and academic excellence
Consider any awards that you have won. List any seminars, workshops,
courses that you have attended ensuring that they are relevant. Have you regularly attended grand rounds, education sessions at the Hospitals when
you have been on clinical placement.
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SECTION SEVEN – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CURRICULUM VITAE Brainstorm !!
Detail your strengths, skills and attributes. The aim is to create a comprehensive list which you can use as a basis for preparing your
curriculum vitae.
Catalogue your Success
Make a list of your past experience and success.
Include every aspect of your life.
Think about what led to each success and how it may relate to the
position you are seeking.
Set yourself apart
Think about what will set you apart from the other candidates.
Keep it short
Your CV should be no more than 2 pages – any longer and it may not be read.
Make it dynamic
Using ‘action’ words will help.
Make it positive
Your CV needs to sell you – so make it positive from the beginning.
Put yourself in the Employer's shoes
Think about what the Employer wants in terms of the ideal candidate
Consider the competencies that the Employer is looking for and then
construct your CV accordingly.
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Look at your CV through the eyes of the Employer. Does your CV
help them decide if you are right person for the position?
Presentation
Don’t clutter your CV - let it "breathe" so readers won't have to struggle through it.
Give your document an up-to-date style that attracts attention.
Be conservatively distinctive! Choose a sharp-looking typeface such Times Roman, Helvetica or Arial typefaces. You may wish to consider the
resume templates on Microsoft Office.
Use short paragraphs or use bullets to offset new sentences and sections.
Don’t overdo bold and italic type – excessive use of either defeats
the purpose of these enhancements.
Use nothing smaller than 11-point type.
Spelling and Grammar
Write your document in the active first-person tense, never the third person, and choose language that's appropriate to the position you're
seeking.
Proof read your CV repeatedly for typographical and grammatical errors.
AN IMPERFECT CV ISN’T ACCEPTABLE.
Selling
Your CV should serve as a personal sales and marketing tool.
Your qualifications, words, format and presentation must all be packaged to sell yourself.
Take credit for your accomplishments. Know what makes you
marketable and sell it.
Your application is your only opportunity to distinguish yourself from the other candidates. You must market your qualifications
aggressively by highlighting your achievements. That means not just saying what you did but also how well you did it.
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Use strong, goal-oriented words.
Structure
This structure will provide the Employer with the information they want - in the correct order - to help them make the decision whether to interview.
This is purely a guide, reference to other CV templates is recommended.
1. Name – should be in larger font than the rest of your CV and
should be bolded.
2. Address.
3. Phone.
4. Email.
5. Highlights / Key Strengths
What is most outstanding about you?
It is essential to engage the reader in the first ten seconds.
Don't be surprised if 90% of your effort goes into the first five lines of your CV!
Most applicants for the position will have similar educational
qualifications and work experience so it is important to consider skills and abilities that will make you stand out.
In bullet or brief paragraph form, set out the five or so key
characteristics making you an attractive candidate. What skills, abilities, and experience are you offering?
You may need to consult with several colleagues or friends
who know you well in order to articulate the highlights - there can be a tendency to take one's own strengths for granted,
and this isn't the place for modesty.
The highlights section is intended to give readers an
impression of you as a whole person.
The features you bring forward may be related to professional skills, personal talents, or special qualifications.
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6. Education - highest qualification first
Use a minimum of space to show your educational qualifications
7. Employment History – most recent first
Date, Job title, Hospital;
Description of job; and Achievements during this placement (if applicable)
8. Professional Memberships
9. Community involvement
10. Interests / Hobbies
Try to identify skills and attributes that you have learned or developed through your interests or hobbies that may be
applicable to your career.
11. Referees
You will usually be asked for a list of referees.
You have been asked to provide two referees. List the most
well known or renowned first. If you are applying for an internship at Fremantle is one of your referees from Fremantle
as this would demonstrate that you have made a positive impression already on potential colleagues and supervisors.
Referees should be people who have supervised your
work, or know you well through volunteer and extracurricular activities.
Ask referees if they will act as such for you. If they agree
you will need to include their title, the hospital where they work,
and their work address and phone number.
Thank and stay in touch with your referees - you never know when you might need their help in the future.
Choose your referees with care! An influential referee can be highly advantageous, as long as they know you and can
speak with some authority.
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Seek assistance
When you are satisfied your CV fairly and accurately reflects what you are able to offer the Employer, show it to others who know you. Their
reaction may surprise you but it is vital to consider their input.
Ask someone else to proof read your CV.
Draft and Re-draft!!
Be prepared to draft and re-draft your CV so that the final result clearly demonstrates and markets your skills and abilities.
CV CHECKLIST
1. Does it sell you from the beginning?
It is likely that someone reading your CV will have developed a positive impression of you within the first 60 seconds.
2. Is it attractive?
Does it look visually attractive in terms of spacing, layout, use of
headings etc.
If your CV is ugly, no one will want to read it.
3. Is it dynamic?
To make your CV stand out, use dynamic, action words.
4. Is it positive?
Your CV has to be positive in every respect.
Negatives are yours to know and others to find out.
5. Can it be skimmed easily?
CVs are not read but skimmed.
Make sure your CV is easy for the reader to absorb.
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6. Are all the contents important?
There is no room in a CV for superfluous information.
7. Is it the right length?
If your CV is too long, it will be treated as hard work and passed
over.
8. Is it perfect in spelling and grammar?
A few mistakes could impact on your chances.
9. Does it reflect you as a person?
It is important that your CV reflects the real you.
10. Attachments
Are you going to attach anything?
What is appropriate? (The online application process has clearly
indicated that they only require the following information: o CV
o Academic Record to date
NB It has been made clear in the online application that your CV
should only be 2 pages in length. Therefore you need to ensure that the information contained within the CV is relevant, concise, but
covers all your essential experience, knowledge, education, awards
received etc.
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SAMPLE CV TEMPLATE [NB for the Intern Application Process your CV is to be no more than 2 pages]
Career History
Personal Information
Name
Address
Contact Details – Address, email
Write a summary here that’s describes you and allows the reader an insight into your beliefs as a practitioner.
Ideally you will write a paragraph that describes you and illustrates the passion and enthusiasm and ability to
deliver your professional skills.
Career History Think! – What did I achieve, What did I do, What did I improve
(This is possibly the most important area of your CV as it is your opportunity to describe the results you achieved
alongside the duties and responsibilities included in your role. Remember to talk about matters such as the size of
teams that you have supervised/ managed and detail any budgetary successes)
September 2009 – current Name of company
Position responsibilities:
Achievements:
Professional Education
e.g Bachelor of Science University of WA 1991
Professional Training Undertaken This is a good opportunity to talk about technical knowledge / certification that confirm your ability to deliver
your professional skills
Professional Memberships
Date - Member of xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
Publications
If you have had any articles or research published – this can be entered here. If your list is
extensive – consider a separate enclosure so your CV is not too long.
References
Professional references – you have been asked for 2 referees
Create a footer with your name and contact details – it will repeat on each page.
Curriculum Vitae - Name: Address:
Tel / Email